Former Mailbox director killed in avalanche in Italian Alps

Shay Casey, a former director with Retail BID and The Mailbox, who has been killed in an avalanche in the Italian Alps

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A former director of The Mailbox and Retail Birmingham Business Improvement District (BID) in Birmingham city centre has been killed in an avalanche in the Italian Alps.

Shay Casey, 40, was a chartered surveyor and was involved in the BID through his association with The Mailbox where he had been director of strategy and business development until earlier this year.

Mr Casey was a member of the Retail Birmingham BID board from October 2012 to March 2014 during which time he helped the BID with its strategy for improving the city centre's retail offer and divided his time between Birmingham and London.

Its chairman Jonathan Cheetham said: "Shay was an energetic and important member of the Retail Birmingham BID board and played a major part in the BID's strategy and the re-development of the new Mailbox, which is due to open in the spring of 2015.

"Retail Birmingham's thoughts are with his family and friends at this very sad time."

A statement issued to the media from his family confirmed he had been killed when he was swept away by the avalanche while climbing with a group of friends in the Aosta region of the Italian Alps on Thursday afternoon.

Mr Casey was from County Cork, in Ireland, and his family runs Caseys Furniture stores in Cork and Limerick.

The statement said: "It is with deep sadness that the Casey family confirms the tragic death of their youngest brother, Shay Casey.

"Shay, a chartered surveyor, had been living in London for the last number of years.

"An avid and experienced outdoor sportsman, he was climbing with friends in Aosta, Northern Italy, when an avalanche occurred.

"Tragically, Shay suffered serious injuries and was killed by the force of the snowslide. His body has been recovered and the family is being assisted by the Department of Foreign Affairs."

Mr Casey had previously worked for GE Capital Real Estate after studying at universities in Edinburgh and Cork.

He is survived by his parents, Jim and Joan, brothers Jack, Peter, and David and sisters Gina and Darragh.

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